(Because of debt to income tied to property)-Will buying a home first make it easier to buy a rental?

So, a say $40k net income MIGHT let you borrow $150k (assuming you have no other debts/loans which I'm guessing might be possible if you have $30k saved up).So, the co-signer route is your best bet, just remember it may not be theirs since you will be tying up their credit.Hope this makes sense. 

If utilities are in the tenant's name and they don't pay the bill, their utilities get cut off and it's not your problem.

I'll continue digging into the regulation around them as it's not super clear cut to me.

Then see if that number pencils out for you for rental and a return on your investment that makes sense.On another note for the OG poster, here in CA, ADU's are much easier to do now that we have passed some great laws to cut through some red tape and prevent local jurisdictions from imposing rules to make your ADU impossible.

For example, all of our SFHs come with included lawn care. 10 years ago everyone wanted to cut their own grass and save on the rent.

That and the fact that deals are becoming thinner and thinner,  there is less room for the middle man (wholesaler) to take a cut.

We refinanced at 75% LTV, and the bank cut us a check for roughly $140,000.

You cut out the middle man and build relationships with folks who likely have more time than the general contractor.  

For example, I just did this with one of my tenants to cut their lease short midway through and paid them one month’s rent ($1850) to help cover moving costs and the premium on a new lease.